Will Book __, Page 111
Proven: April 7, 1845 Term

In the Name of God, Amen, I John Cockreham of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee being in a bad state of health, but of sound mind & memory, blessed be God, calling to mind the mortality of this life & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following, viz:

First. I give & bequeath to my beloved wife Sally the use of all my land & negro slaves during her life or widowhood…

also to my wife Sally as much of my stock of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs as she shall choose to set apart for herself and I also give to my wife…all my household furniture and kitchen and farming utensils, all my corn, bacon, wheat and other provisions on hand, also one wagon and two yolk of oxen.

Secondly. I give & bequeath after the death or marriage of my wife….to my sons, Thomas G. Cockreham, John H. Cockreham, Daniel H. Cockreham, William H. & Abner W. Cockreham, and to my daughters Maria McCollough, Elizabeth Tharp, Louisa McBride, Emily H. Cockreham & Amanda Cockreham all my estate both real and personal to be equally divided among them, share and share alike, after deducting the following sums from the respective shares for property that I have heretofore advanced to some of my said sons & daughters to wit:

I have heretofore advanced to my son Thomas G. Cochreham property to the value of Five hundred and twenty seven dollars.

I have heretofore advanced to my son John H. Cockreham property valued at four hundred and fifty seven dollars. I have heretofore advanced to my said son Daniel H. Cockreham property valued at Four Hundred and Fifty seven dollars.

I have heretofore advanced to my said son Abner W. Cockreham property valued at One Hundred Fifteen dollars.

I have heretofore advanced to my daughter Maria McCollough property valued at Two Hundred, Forty eight dollars.

I have heretofore advanced to my daughter Elizabeth Tharp property valued at One Hundred and Eighty two dollars.

I have heretofore advanced to my said daughter Louisa McBride One Hundred Eighty Two dollars, all advances to be taken into consideration in their respective shares of my Estate, so that all [finally] receive an equal share of my Estate to them and their heirs forever.

It is my desire that whenever my Executors shall have a considerable sum of money in their hands arising out of my estate either from the sale of property or from collecting debts due to me, that they shall divide the same among all my said sons and daughters equally taking into consideration the advances aforesaid.

Fourthly. I do hereby nominate and appoint my two sons Thomas G. Cockreham and John H. Cockreham Executors of this my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & fixed my seal This fifth day of January in the year of our Lord, 1839.

John [X] Cockreham (seal) (his mark)

Signed, sealed published & declared by John Cockreham the Testator as his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of each other.

John Williams
Ephraim Parvin

This Hawkins County Will was transcribed by one of the following volunteers:  Audrae Mathis; Gary Fletcher; Betty Mize; Diana Arney; Karen Negron, Kathey Welder.